Pneumatic control device for multi-zone fire extinguishing systems, and multi-zone fire-extinguishing systems having same

Abstract

The invention concerns a pneumatic control device ( 1 ) for multi-zone fire extinguishing installations, comprising a control pressure inlet port ( 25 ) for connection to a control pressure source ( 105 ), in particular a pressurised gas container, a number (m) of first control pressure outlet ports ( 17 ) for connection to a corresponding number of extinguishing agent containers ( 107 ), a number (n) of second control pressure outlet ports ( 19 ) for connection to a corresponding number of zone valves ( 111 ), and a plurality of function modules ( 7, 9 ). It is proposed that the invention further includes a quantity control module ( 9 ) for the association of a selection of the first number of control pressure outlet ports ( 17 ) with a selection of the second control pressure outlet ports ( 19 ), and an electrical control valve module ( 7 ) which is controllable from the exterior for selectively opening or closing the second control pressure inlet ports ( 19 ) and which can be connected in particular in signal-conducting relationship to a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control station ( 103 ), wherein the function modules ( 7, 9 ) are operatively connected together.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pneumatic control device for multi-zone fire extinguishing installations, comprising:
 a control pressure inlet port for connection to a control pressure source, 
 a number of first control pressure outlet ports for connection to a corresponding number of extinguishing agent containers, 
 a number of second control pressure outlet ports for connection to a corresponding number of zone valves, and 
 a plurality of function modules including: 
 a quantity control module for an association of a selection of one or more of the first number of control pressure outlet ports with a selection of one or more of the second control pressure outlet ports, and 
 an electrical control valve module which is controllable from an exterior for selectively opening or closing the second control pressure outlet ports and which can be connected to be in signal communication with a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control station, 
 wherein the plurality of function modules are operatively connected together. 
 
     
     
       2. A control device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of function modules are assembled to form a unit. 
     
     
       3. A control device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the quantity control module has a plurality of first flow paths between the control pressure inlet port and the first control pressure outlet ports and each first flow path has a shut-off element which can selectively assume a closed state in which the respective first flow path is closed or an open state in which the respective first flow path is opened. 
     
     
       4. A control device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein each shut-off element has an optical indicator which displays the closed and/or open state. 
     
     
       5. A control device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the number of first control pressure outlet ports includes two or more outlet ports and the number of second control pressure outlet ports includes two or more outlet ports. 
     
     
       6. A control device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the shut-off elements are fitted in distributor blocks, and wherein the distributor blocks are mounted in mutually adjoining relationship and have flow passages to the respectively adjacent distributor blocks. 
     
     
       7. A control device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each distributor block accommodates either two or three shut-off elements. 
     
     
       8. A control device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the shut-off elements are arranged in a switching matrix having rows and columns. 
     
     
       9. A control device as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the quantity control module has flow passages for each row and flow passages for each column,
 wherein between the control pressure inlet port and the first outlet ports, the first flow paths pass through said flow passages, and 
 the shut-off elements are respectively arranged at an interface between a row having a flow passage and a column having a flow passage in order in the open state to enable a transfer from the row into the column and in the closed state to block the transfer. 
 
     
     
       10. A control device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the shut-off elements comprise non-return valves which are fitted into a receiving socket, wherein a first orientation of non-return elements produces the open state and a second orientation produces the closed state. 
     
     
       11. A control device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the control valve module has the second control pressure outlet ports, a plurality of first flow paths between the quantity control module and the second control pressure outlet ports, a plurality of second flow paths between the control pressure inlet port and the second control pressure outlet ports and for each of the second control pressure outlet ports a control valve which is arranged between the control pressure inlet port and the second control pressure outlet ports and is reciprocatingly switchable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
       12. A control device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the first and second flow paths extend jointly to the respective control valve in the control valve module and downstream thereof branch from each other. 
     
     
       13. A control device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the control valve module has a number of third flow paths and connected thereto third control pressure outlet ports for connection to a corresponding number of alarms, and wherein the third control pressure outlet ports branch from the plurality of second flow paths downstream of the control valves. 
     
     
       14. A control device as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the control valve module in each of the second flow paths, downstream of the branching to the third flow paths, has a blocking element for selectively shutting off one, more or all of the second control pressure outlet ports. 
     
     
       15. A control device as set forth in  claim 14  comprising a extinguishing agent release module as a further function module which is arranged in adjoining relationship downstream of the quantity control module, and for each first control pressure outlet port has a release valve which is arranged upstream at the first control pressure outlet ports and is reciprocatingly switchable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
       16. A control device as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the release valves are pilot-controlled by a delay valve, wherein the delay valve can be connected to a control pressure supply by a fourth flow path, wherein further the fourth flow path branches from the first or second flow path. 
     
     
       17. A control device as set forth in  claim 15  comprising a service/reserve switching module as a further function module, which is arranged downstream at the quantity control module in adjoining relationship downstream of the extinguishing agent release module, and is adapted to fluid-conductingly connect the first control pressure outlet ports selectively to a number of service extinguishing agent containers or a number of reserve extinguishing agent containers. 
     
     
       18. A multi-zone fire extinguishing installation comprising
 a plurality of fire identification detectors which are respectively arranged in a region of an object to be monitored, 
 a fire alarm and/or extinguishing control station connected in signal-conducting relationship to the fire identification detectors, 
 a number of extinguishing agent containers, 
 a piping network connected to the extinguishing agent containers for transporting the extinguishing agent, wherein the piping network has a number of zone valves, and 
 a control pressure source, and 
 a control device which is in accordance with  claim 1  and is connected to the fire alarm and/or extinguishing control station in signal-conducting relationship and is controlled thereby.